System for determining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms

ABSTRACT

A system is described for determining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a first item, a second item, a first period of time and a second period of time. The interface may be operative to communicate with a user and an antenna. The antenna may be able to detect an item for a period of time. The processor may be operative to receive from the antenna, via the interface, the first item, the first period of time, the second item and the second period of time. The processor may determine whether the periods of time overlap. If the periods of time overlap the processor may communicate to the user that the items are upon the same platform, otherwise that the items are on consecutive platforms.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of, claims the benefit of, and priorityto the copending non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/412,165,Attorney Docket Number ACNR-D07-064/01862-01/US, entitled “SYSTEM FORDETERMINING A RELATIVE LOCATION OF A PLURALITY OF ITEMS UPON A PLURALITYOF PLATFORMS,” with filing date Nov. 7, 2007, which is a divisional of,claims the benefit of, and priority to the copending non-provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 11/983,209, Attorney Docket NumberACNR-D07-064/01862-00/US, entitled “SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A RELATIVELOCATION OF A PLURALITY OF ITEMS UPON A PLURALITY OF PLATFORMS,” withfiling date Nov. 7, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/932,324, filed on May 30, 2007, and EP ApplicationNo. 07 291 112.6, filed on Sep. 19, 2007, each of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present description relates generally to a system and method,generally referred to as a system, for determining a relative locationof a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms, and moreparticularly, but not exclusively, to determining a relative location ofslabs of steel on train wagons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hundreds of thousands of slabs of steel may be transported from a steelmill, by rail or other means, in a given year. An individual shipment ofsteel slabs may have several distinct delivery destinations and eachdelivery destination may be allocated specific slabs within theshipment. Upon arriving at a destination the shipper may need to locatethe slabs of steel within the shipment allocated to the destination.Locating the allocated slabs within the shipment may require manuallyidentifying each slab in the shipment until all the allocated slabs arefound. Manual identification of each steel slab may be a slow and timeconsuming process. A slow process may be particularly undesirable asthere may be little time available for unloading, allocating, andreloading the steel slabs. Additionally manual identification of eachslab may increase the costs associated with shipping the slabs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for determining a relative location of a plurality of itemsupon a plurality of platforms may include a memory, an interface, and aprocessor. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor andthe interface and may store a first item in a plurality of items, asecond item in the plurality of items, a first period of time and asecond period of time. The interface may be operatively connected to thememory and may be operative to communicate with a user and an antenna.The antenna may be able to detect an item in the plurality of items fora period of time. The processor may be operatively connected to thememory and the interface. The processor may be operative to receive fromthe antenna, via the interface, the first item, the first period oftime, the second item and the second period of time. The first item andthe second item may have been detected by the antenna on at least oneplatform in a plurality of platforms. The processor may determinewhether the first period of time and the second period of time overlap.If the periods of time overlap the processor may communicate to the userthat the first item and the second item are upon the same platform.Otherwise the processor may communicate to the user that the first itemand the second item are on consecutive platforms.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become,apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional systems, methods, features and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the embodiments, and beprotected by the following claims and be defined by the followingclaims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below inconjunction with the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustivedescriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. Thecomponents in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating principles. In the figures, likereferenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the differentfigures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 2 is block diagram of a simplified view of an implementation of thesystem of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location ofa plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the system of FIG.1, or other systems for determining a relative location of a pluralityof items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a time intervalalgorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an average time intervalalgorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an overlapping detectiontime interval algorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems fordetermining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a pluralityof platforms.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the detection time intervals of aplurality of items in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems fordetermining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a pluralityof platforms.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a tag for detecting an item in the systemof FIG. 1, or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of how tags may be positioned on items in thesystem of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location ofa plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary reader and antennaconstruction dimensions for use in the system of FIG. 1 or other systemsfor determining a relative location of a plurality of items upon aplurality of platforms.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a remote entry system for use with thesystem of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location ofa plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary handheld reader in the systemof FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer environment forhandling data related to the relative location of a plurality of itemsin the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of antennas located by in-bound and outboundtracks in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of antennas located by rollers that transportitems in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of stacked exemplary slabs.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a tag after being exposed to environmentalconditions.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of slabs loaded onto train wagons in thesystem of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location ofa plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 19 is illustration of slabs being unloaded from a water shippingvessel in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram demonstrating a way to read tags while itemsare being suspended by chains attached to cranes in the system of FIG. 1or other systems for determining a relative location of a plurality ofitems upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 21 is block diagram illustrating slabs being shipped to differentlocations in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

FIG. 22 is an illustration a general computer system that may be used inthe system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system and method, generally referred to as a system, may relate todetermining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a pluralityof platforms, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to determininga relative location of slabs of steel on rail wagons. The principlesdescribed herein may be embodied in many different forms. The system mayidentify the relative location of items, such as steel slabs, in transitupon multiple platforms, such as the beds of train wagons. The systemmay be able to determine which slabs are located on which train wagons.The system may be used to coordinate the unloading, allocating andloading of the items at ports, depots, delivery destinations, orgenerally any location where the items may be unloaded, allocated and/orloaded.

The system may automate the process of unloading, allocating and loadingitems upon platforms. The platforms may also be referred to as areas,such as the flatbed area of a train wagon or truck. The system maycommunicate the data describing the relative location of the items uponthe platforms to a device for unloading, allocating, and/or loadingitems, such as a crane. The data may be used by the device toautomatically unload items from passing platforms, such as the beds oftrain wagons, if they are allocated for delivery at the device'slocation. The device may also use the data to determine whether there issufficient space on a passing platform, such as the bed of a trainwagon, to load additional items.

The system may communicate data relating to the relative location ofitems upon a plurality of platforms to a centralized server, such as aninventory server. The server may store the data. The data may later beaccessed to provide a purchaser or other interested party with preciseinformation about the location of the items in transit.

The system may provide an immediate and accurate inventory of all itemsin transit and the relative location of the items upon the platformsused for transport. This data may be used to facilitate the inspectionof the items at borders, custom controls, or generally any locationwhere inspections may be performed. The data may enable an inspector toquickly locate items that may need further inspection.

FIG. 1 provides a general overview of a system 100 for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.Not all of the depicted components may be required, however, and someimplementations may include additional components. Variations in thearrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional,different or fewer components may be provided.

The system 100 may include one or more antennas 110, one or more users120A-N, a reader 140, and a network 130. The antenna 110 may read tags,such as radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags, on passing items,such as slabs of steel. The reader 140 may process data from the antenna110 related to the passing items to determine the relative location ofthe items. The reader 140 may communicate the relative location to theone or more users 120A-N via the network 130. The users 120A-N may bepersons interested in the relative location of the items, such as systemadministrators, persons involved in inventory control, or custominspectors. Alternatively or in addition the users 120A-N may bemachines or other servers, such as data server or a machine controllingan automated crane or generally any other apparatus for loading orunloading items.

The antenna 110 may be a radio frequency antenna “RF antenna”, orgenerally any device capable of receiving a data signal from an item. Inthe case of an RF antenna, the antenna 110 may emit a high frequencyelectromagnetic wave which may excite the antenna in passing RFID tagsand generate an induced current which may be used to communicate data tothe antenna 110. The reach of the electromagnetic wave may extend adistance x to the left of the antenna 110 and a distance y to the rightof the antenna 110. Passing RFID tags may communicate identifying datato the antenna 110 when they are within reach of the electromagneticwave. The antenna 110 may identify the time each RFID tag startstransmitting data and the time each RFID tag stops transmitting data.The antenna 110 may then transfer the data, the detection start time,and the detection stop time to the reader 140. Alternatively or inaddition an antenna 110, may transfer data directly to the users 120A-N,via the network 130.

The reader 140 may be a radio frequency reader (“RF reader”), such as amachine that may include a processor, memory, a display, and acommunication interface. The processor may be operatively connected tothe memory, display and the communication interface and may performtasks at the request of the underlying operating system. The memory maybe capable of storing data. The display may be operatively connected tothe memory and the processor and may be capable of displayinginformation. The communication interface may be operatively connected tothe memory, and the processor, and may be capable of communicatingthrough the network 130 with the users 120A-N. The reader 140 may beconnected to the network 130 in any configuration that supports datatransfer. This may include a data connection to the network 130 that maybe wired or wireless. One or more readers 140 may be connected, via thenetwork 130, to a readpoint terminal. The readpoint terminal may be acentralized source of storing data related to the readers 140.

The users 120A-N may use a machine to communicate with the reader 140via the network 130. The machine may include a processor, memory, adisplay, and a communication interface. The processor may be operativelyconnected to the memory, display and the communication interface and mayperform tasks at the request of the underlying operating system. Thememory may be capable of storing data. The display may be operativelyconnected to the memory and the processor and may be capable ofdisplaying information to the users 120A-N. The communication interfacemay be operatively connected to the memory, and the processor, and maybe capable of communicating through the network 130 with the reader 140.

The network 130 may include wide area networks (WAN), such as theinternet, local area networks (LAN), campus area networks, metropolitanarea networks, or any other networks that may allow for datacommunication. The network 130 may include the Internet. The networks130 may be divided into sub-networks. The sub-networks may allow accessto all of the other components connected to the network 130 in thesystem 100, or the sub-networks may restrict access between thecomponents connected to the network 130. The network 130 may be regardedas a public or private network connection and may include, for example,a virtual private network or an encryption or other security mechanismemployed over the public Internet, or the like.

The network 130 may be configured to couple one computing device toanother computing device to enable communication of data between thedevices. The network 130 may generally be enabled to employ any form ofmachine-readable media for communicating information from one device toanother. The network 130 may include one or more of a wireless network,a wired network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN),a direct connection such as through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port,and the like, and may include the set of interconnected networks thatmake up the Internet. The network 130 may include any communicationmethod by which information may travel between computing devices.

In operation the antenna 110 may read, or receive, data from passingitems. The passing items may be located upon one or more platforms, suchas the flat bed area of a train wagon. The antenna 110 may communicatethe detected data to the reader 140 along with the time the data wasfirst detectable and the time the data was last detectable. The antenna110 may be in direct communication with the reader 140, or may be incommunication with the reader 140 through the network 130. The reader140 may use one or more algorithms to process the data received from theantenna 110. The reader 140 may be able to determine the relativelocation of each passing item based on the data. For example, if thepassing items are located upon passing train wagons the reader 140 maydetermine which train wagon each passing item is relatively locatedupon.

The reader 140 may communicate the relative location of each item to theusers 120A-N, via the network 130. The users 120A-N may store the datain a data store, may analyze the data for inventory purposes, mayutilize the data to quickly locate an item, may use the data to automatea loading or unloading process, or generally may use the data to performany task or action which may be facilitated by knowing the relativelocation of the items.

FIG. 2 provides a simplified view of an implementation 200 of the systemof FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. Not all of thedepicted components may be required, however, and some implementationsmay include additional components not shown in the figure. Variations inthe arrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional,different or fewer components may be provided.

The implementation 200 may include an antenna 110, a network 130, areader 140, a main server 240, a data store 245, one or more webapplications, standalone applications, mobile applications 220A-N, whichmay collectively be referred to as client applications for the users120A-N, or individually as a user client application. The implementation200 may also include one or more wagons 215A-N, one or more items230A-N, a track 250, and a crane 260. Each of the items 230A-N may havea tag 210A-N attached.

The main server 240 may communicate with the client applications 220A-Nand the reader 140 via the network 130. The main server 240 may receivedata from the reader 140 and may store the data in the data store 245.The users 120A-N may access the data stored in the data store 245through the main server 240. Alternatively or in addition the users120A-N may communicate with the reader 140. Alternatively or in additionthe main server 240 may be a readpoint terminal.

The data store 245 may be operative to store data, such as data relatingto the relative location of items 230A-N on the wagons 215A-N. The datastore 245 may include one or more relational databases or other datastores that may be managed using various known database managementtechniques, such as, for example, SQL and object-based techniques.Alternatively or in addition the data store 245 may be implemented usingone or more magnetic, optical, solid state or tape drives. The datastore 245 may be in communication with the main server 240.Alternatively or in addition the data store 245 may be in communicationwith the main server 240 through the network 130.

The users 120A-N may use a web application 220A, a standaloneapplication 220B, or a mobile application 220N to communicate with themain server 240 and/or the reader 140, via the network 130. The mainserver 240 may also communicate to the users 120A-N via the network 130,through the web applications, standalone applications or mobileapplications 220A-N.

The web applications, standalone applications and mobile applications220A-N and the main server 240 may be connected to the network 130 inany configuration that may support data transfer. This may include adata connection to the network 130 that may be wired or wireless. Theweb application 220A may run on any platform that supports web content,such as a web browser or a computer, a mobile phone, personal digitalassistant (PDA), pager, network-enabled television, digital videorecorder, such as TIVO®, automobile and/or any appliance capable of datacommunication.

The standalone application 220B may run on a machine that may include aprocessor, memory, a display, a user interface and a communicationinterface. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory,display and the interfaces and may perform tasks at the request of thestandalone applications 220B or the underlying operating system. Thememory may be capable of storing data. The display may be operativelyconnected to the memory and the processor and may be capable ofdisplaying information to the user B 120B. The user interface may beoperatively connected to the memory, the processor, and the display andmay be capable of interacting with a user B 120B. The communicationinterface may be operatively connected to the memory, and the processor,and may be capable of communicating through the network 130 with themain server 240 and/or the reader 140. The standalone application 220Bmay be programmed in any programming language that supportscommunication protocols. These languages may include: SUN JAVA®, C++,C#, ASP, SUN JAVASCRIPT®, asynchronous SUN JAVASCRIPT®, or ADOBE FLASHACTIONSCRIPT®, amongst others.

The mobile application 220N may run on any mobile device that may have adata connection. The data connection may be a cellular connection, awireless data connection, an internet connection, an infra-redconnection, a Bluetooth connection, or any other connection capable oftransmitting data.

The main server 240 may include one or more of the following: anapplication server, a data store, such as the data store 245, a databaseserver, and a middleware server. The main server 240 may exist on onemachine or may be running in a distributed configuration on one or moremachines. The main server 240 may be referred to as the server. The mainserver 240 may implement one or more applications to allow the users120A-N to access or utilize the data describing the relative location ofthe items 230A-N. The main server 240 may receive requests from theusers 120A-N and may serve data to the users 120A-N based on theirrequests.

The main server 240, the reader 140, and the devices utilized by theusers 120A-N may be one or more computing devices of various kinds, suchas the computing device in FIG. 22. Such computing devices may generallyinclude any device that may be configured to perform computation andthat may be capable of sending and receiving data communications by wayof one or more wired and/or wireless communication interfaces. Suchdevices may be configured to communicate in accordance with any of avariety of network protocols, including but not limited to protocolswithin the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)protocol suite. For example, the web applications 220A may employ HTTPto request information, such as a web page, from a web server, which maybe a process executing on the main server 240.

The main server 240 may include several configurations of databaseservers, such as the data store 245, application servers, and middlewareservers. Database servers may include MICROSOFT SQL SERVER®, ORACLE®,IBM DB2® or any other database software, relational or otherwise. Theapplication server may be APACHE TOMCAT®, MICROSOFT IIS®, ADOBECOLDFUSION®, or any other application server that supports communicationprotocols. The middleware server may be any middleware that connectssoftware components or applications.

The wagons 215A-N may be any type of apparatus capable of transportingitems 230A-N, such as train cars, sea vessels, semi-trailer trucks, orgenerally any vehicle capable of transportation. The wagons 215A-N mayhave a flat surface that one or more items 230A-N may rest upon. Thewagons 215A-N may be connected together and may travel on a track 250.The track 250 may be a railroad track or generally may be any trackcapable of transporting one or more wagons 215A-N.

The items 230A-N may be steel slabs, or may generally be any items thatmay be transported upon multiple platforms, such as the surfaces of thewagons 215A-N. The items 230A-N may be upon several wagons 215A-N. Forexample, in FIG. 2, the item A 230A, the item B 230B and the item C 230Cmay be upon the wagon A 215A. The item D 210D may be upon the wagon B215B. The item E 210E and the item F 210F may be upon the wagon C 215 C.The item H 210H, the item G 210G and the item I 210I may be upon thewagon D 215D. The item N 230N may be upon the wagon 215N.

The items 230A-N may have a tag 210A-N attached, such as the tag in FIG.8 below. In the case of an antenna 110 that is an RF antenna, the tags210A-N may be RFID tags. In the case of RFID tags, the tags 210A-N mayinclude a microchip and an antenna. The microchip may store data, suchas a ten-digit number code which may be used to identify the item 230A-Nthe tag 210A-N is attached to. The antenna 110 may emit a high frequencyelectromagnetic wave. When the tags 210A-N pass within the range of theelectromagnetic wave the electromagnetic wave may excite the antenna inthe tags 210A-N and generate an induced current. The current mayactivate the microchip which may then send the stored data, such as theten-digit code, to the antenna 110. The microchip may continuouslytransfer the stored data until the tag 230A-N moves out of range of theelectromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna 110. The antenna 110 maycommunicate the received data to the reader 140. The reader 140 may usethe data to determine which wagon 215A-N each item 210A-N may betransported upon.

The crane 260 may be a device capable of loading and/or unloading theitems 230A-N from the wagons 215A-N. The crane 260 may be incommunication with the reader 140 and/or the main server 240.Alternatively or in addition the crane 260 may be in directcommunication reader 140 and/or the main server 240, or may be incommunication with the reader 140 and/or the main server 240 through thenetwork 130. The crane 260 may receive loading and/or unloadinginstructions from the reader 140, and/or the main server 240. Theinstructions may be based on which wagon 215A-N each item 230A-N may betransported upon. The crane 260 may only load and unload particularwagons 215A-N, depending on which items 230A-N are located on each ofthe wagons 215A-N.

The crane 260 may be positioned a determined distance from the antenna110 so that unloading the wagons 215A-N may be automated. As each of thewagons 215A-N pass by the antenna 110, the reader 140 may determinewhich items 230A-N are upon each of the wagons 215A-N. The reader 140may communicate the information to the crane 260. The crane 260 may usethe information to efficient unload the items 230A-N from the wagons215A-N. The crane 260 may unload items 230A-N from the wagon A 215Aallocated for the location of the crane 260. The crane 260 may loaditems onto the wagon A 215A if the information from the reader 140indicates that the wagon A 215A is not full.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the system of FIG.1, or other systems for determining a relative location of a pluralityof items upon a plurality of platforms. The operations of the system 100may be depicted in a flowchart for explanatory purposes. The operationsof the system 100 may execute linearly, as depicted in the flowchart, ormay execute in parallel to one another. For example, each operationidentified in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 may run simultaneouslyin the system 100.

At block 310 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of the first itemA 230A in a shipment. The antenna 110 may communicate the informationdescribing the detection of the item A 230A to the reader 140. Theinformation may include the time the item A 230A first passed into rangeof the antenna 110, the time the item A 230A passed out of range of theantenna 110, and any data describing the item A 230A communicated to theantenna 110 by the tag A 210A. The reader 140 may determine that theitem A 230A is located on the first platform, such as the wagon A 215A.At block 320 the reader 140 may communicate the location of the item A230A, and any information describing the item A 230A, to at least one ofthe main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or the crane 160.

At block 330 the system 100 may determine if the antenna 110 detectsanother item. If at block 330 another item is not detected by theantenna 110 the system 100 may move to block 360. At block 360 thesystem 100 may determine if the time limit has elapsed. The time limitmay be the period of time the system 100 may continue to attempt todetect items 230A-N in the current shipment. Once the time limit elapsesthe system 100 may make the determination that all of the items 230A-Non the shipment passed the range of the antenna 110. The system 100 maydetermine the time limit based on the average size of the shipments, thelengths of the items 230A-N being transported, the velocity of the items230A-N or generally any other variables that may effect the detectiontime intervals.

If at block 360 the system 100 determines that the time limit haselapsed, the system 100 may move to block 370. At block 370 the reader140 may communicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or thecrane 160 that the entire shipment has passed the antenna 110.Alternatively or in addition the reader 140 may communicate there are nomore items to be detected on the last platform.

If at block 360 the system 100 determines that the time limit has notelapsed, the system 100 may return to block 330 and continue to wait forthe antenna 110 to detect additional items. If at block 330 the antenna110 detects another item, the antenna 110 may communicate the detectiondata of the currently detected item to the reader 140 and the system 100may move to block 340. At block 340 the reader 140 may analyze thedetection times of the detected item and the previously detected items.The analysis may utilize one or more algorithms, such as a time intervalalgorithm, an average time interval algorithm, and an overlapping timeinterval algorithm. A flowchart illustrating the time interval algorithmcan be found in FIG. 4 below, a flowchart illustrating the average timeinterval algorithm can be found in FIG. 5 below and a flowchartillustrating the overlapping time interval algorithm can be found inFIG. 6 below. The analysis of the detection times of the previous twoitems may enable the reader 140 to determine whether the currentlydetected item is located on either the same wagon as the previouslydetected item or the next wagon.

The algorithms may be used to calculate the relative location of theitems 230A-N. The algorithm may identify the wagon 215A-N of theshipment without tracking the wagons 215A-N themselves. Each wagon215A-N may carry a determined number of items 230A-N, such as a maximumof four items 230A-N. Multiple wagons 215A-N may be combined to a fulltrain which may be one shipment. An automatic departure notice andvalidation that the items 230A-N left the yard may be sent upondeparture. Potential shipping errors may be caught and prevented, suchas with respect to wrong items 230A-N being shipped.

At block 350 the reader 140 may communicate the determined location ofthe last detected item to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, or thecrane 160. Alternatively or in addition the detection times may becommunicated directly to the main server 240 and the main server 240 mayperform the analysis on the detection times. After communicating thelocation of the last detected item the system 100 may return to block330 and determine whether the antenna 110 detected another item.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a time intervalalgorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.The operations of the system 100 may be depicted in a flowchart forexplanatory purposes. The operations of the system 100 may executelinearly, as depicted in the flowchart, or may execute in parallel toone another. For example, each operation identified in the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 3 may run simultaneously in the system 100.

At block 410 the system 100 may determine a time interval threshold. Thetime interval threshold may indicate the maximum time that may elapsebetween the detection of two items located on the same platform. Forexample, if the time interval threshold was set at 1 second, any twoconsecutive items detected within 1 second of each other may bedetermined to be located on the same platform. The system 100 maydetermine the time interval threshold based on the average size of theshipments, the lengths of the items 230A-N being transported or thelengths of the platforms, such as the wagons 215A-N, the velocity of theitems 230A-N or generally any other variables that may effect thedetection time intervals.

At block 420 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of a first item A230A in a shipment. The antenna 110 may communicate the informationdescribing the detection of the item A 230A to the reader 140, such asthe time the item A 230A first passed into range of the antenna 110, thetime the item A 230A passed out of range of the antenna 110, and anydata describing the item A 230A communicated to the antenna 110 by thetag A 210A. The reader 140 may determine that the item A 230A is locatedon the first platform, the wagon A 215A. At block 430 the reader 140 maycommunicate the location of the item A 230A, and any informationdescribing the item A 230A, to the main server 240, the users 120A-N,and/or the crane 160.

At block 440 the system 100 may determine if the antenna 110 detectsanother item. If at block 440 another item is not detected by theantenna 110 the system 100 may move to block 490. At block 490 thesystem 100 may determine if the time limit has elapsed. The time limitmay be the period of time the system 100 may continue to attempt todetect items 230A-N in the current shipment. Once the time limit elapsesthe system 100 may make the determination that all of the items 230A-Non the shipment passed the range of the antenna 110. The system 100 maydetermine the time limit based on the average size of the shipments, thelengths of the items 230A-N being transported, the velocity of the items230A-N or generally any other variables that may effect the detectiontime intervals.

If at block 490 the system 100 determines that the time limit haselapsed, the system 100 may move to block 495. At block 495 the reader140 may communicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or thecrane 160 that the entire shipment has passed the antenna 110.Alternatively or in addition the reader 140 may communicate that thereare no more items to be detected on the last platform.

If at block 490 the system 100 determines that the time limit has notelapsed, the system 100 may return to block 440 and continue to wait forthe antenna 110 to detect additional items. If at block 40 the antenna110 detects another item, the antenna 110 may communicate the detectiondata of the currently detected item to the reader 140 and the system 100may move to block 450. At block 450 the reader 140 may calculate thetime interval between the most recent detected item and the itemdetected immediately prior. The time interval may be calculated bydetermining the difference between the first detection times of theitems, the difference between the last detection times of the items, orthe difference between the midpoints of the first and last detectiontimes of the items.

At block 460 the reader 140 may determine whether the calculated timeinterval is less than the time interval threshold. If the time intervalis not less than the time interval threshold, the reader 140 maydetermine that the most recent detected item is not located on the sameplatform as the item detected immediately prior. Thus, the reader 140may determine that the most recent detected item is located on the nextplatform. At block 470 the reader 140 may communicate to the main server240, the users 120A-N, or the crane 160 that the most recent detecteditem is located on the next platform. The reader 140 may alsocommunicate any identifying information about the item communicated tothe antenna 110 by the tag. After communicating the information thesystem 100 may return to block 440 and determine if the antenna 110detected another item.

If at block 460 the reader 140 determines that the calculated timeinterval is less than the time interval threshold the system 100 maymove to block 480. At block 480 the reader 140 may determine that themost recent detected item is located on the same platform as the itemdetected immediately before it. The reader 140 may communicate to themain server 240, the users 120A-N, or the crane 160 that the currentdetected item is located on the same platform as the previous detecteditem. The system 100 may then return to block 440 and determine whetherthe antenna 110 detects another item.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an average time intervalalgorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems for determining arelative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms.The operations of the system 100 may be depicted in a flowchart forexplanatory purposes. The operations of the system 100 may executelinearly, as depicted in the flowchart, or may execute in parallel toone another. For example, each operation identified in the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 5 may run simultaneously in the system 100.

At block 505 the system 100 may determine an initial average interval.The initial average interval may be a time interval threshold or may bea separate time interval. At block 510 the system 100 may determine aconstant to be used in the algorithm for determining whether an item islocated on the same platform as the previous detected item or is on thenext platform.

At block 515 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of a first item A230A in a shipment. The antenna 110 may communicate the informationdescribing the detection of the item A 230A to the reader 140, such asthe time the item A 230A first passed into range of the antenna 110, thetime the item A 230A passed out of range of the antenna 110, and anydata describing the item A 230A communicated to the antenna 110 by thetag A 210A. The reader 140 may determine that the item A 230A is locatedon the first platform, the wagon A 215A. At block 520 the reader 140 maycommunicate the location of the item A 230A, and any informationdescribing the item A 230A, to the main server 240, the users 120A-N,and/or the crane 160.

At block 525 the system 100 may determine if the antenna 110 detectsanother item. If at block 525 another item is not detected by theantenna 110 the system 100 may move to block 560. At block 560 thesystem 100 may determine if the time limit has elapsed. The time limitmay be the period of time the system 100 may continue to attempt todetect items 230A-N in the current shipment. Once the time limit elapsesthe system 100 may make the determination that all of the items 230A-Non the shipment passed the range of the antenna 110. The system 100 maydetermine the time limit based on the average size of the shipments, thelengths of the items 230A-N being transported, the velocity of the items230A-N or generally any other variables that may effect the detectiontime intervals.

If at block 560 the system 100 determines that the time limit haselapsed, the system 100 may move to block 565. At block 565 the reader140 may communicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or thecrane 160 that the entire shipment has passed the antenna 110.Alternatively or in addition the reader 140 may communicate that thereare no more items to be detected on the last platform.

If at block 560 the system 100 determines that the time limit has notelapsed, the system 100 may return to block 525 and continue to wait forthe antenna 110 to detect additional items. If at block 525 the antenna110 detects another item, the antenna 110 may communicate the detectiondata of the currently detected item to the reader 140 and the system 100may move to block 530. At block 530 the reader 140 may calculate thetime interval between the detection of the last detected item and theitem detected immediately before it. At block 535 the reader 140 maymultiply the current average time interval by the constant.

At block 540 the reader 140 may determine whether the time interval isless than the result of the average time interval multiplied by theconstant. If the time interval is not less than the result of theaverage time interval multiplied by the constant the system 100 may moveto block 545. At block 545 the reader 140 may communicate to the mainserver 240, the users 120A-N, or the crane 160 that the last detecteditem is located on the next platform. In this case the average may notchange, and the new average may be initialized to the previous average.The system 100 may then return to block 525 and determine if the antenna110 detected another item.

If, at block 540, the time interval is less than the result of theaverage time interval multiplied by the constant the system 100 may moveto block 550. At block 550 the reader 140 may communicate to the mainserver 240, the users 120A-N, or the crane 160 that the current detecteditem is located on the same platform as the item detected immediatelybefore it. At block 555 the reader 140 may calculate an updated averagetime interval. The average time interval may be calculated by taking theaverage of the time intervals between each items determined to be on thesame platform as the current detected item. After updating the averagetime interval the system 100 may return to block 525 and determine ifthe antenna 110 detects another item.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an overlapping detectiontime algorithm in the system of FIG. 1, or other systems for determininga relative location of a plurality of items upon a plurality ofplatforms. The operations of the system 100 may be depicted in aflowchart for explanatory purposes. The operations of the system 100 mayexecute linearly, as depicted in the flowchart, or may execute inparallel to one another. For example, each operation identified in theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 6 may run simultaneously in the system100.

At block 610 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of a first item A230A in a shipment. The antenna 110 may communicate the informationdescribing the detection of the item A 230A to the reader 140, such asthe time the item A 230A first passed into range of the antenna 110, thetime the item A 230A passed out of range of the antenna 110, and anydata describing the item A 230A communicated to the antenna 110 by thetag A 210A. The reader 140 may determine that the item A 230A is locatedon the first platform, the wagon A 215A. At block 620 the reader 140 maycommunicate the location of the item A 230A, and any informationdescribing the item A 230A, to the main server 240, the users 120A-N,and/or the crane 160.

At block 630 the system 100 may determine if the antenna 110 detectsanother item. If at block 630 another item is not detected by theantenna 110 the system 100 may move to block 670. At block 670 thesystem 100 may determine if the time limit has elapsed. The time limitmay be the period of time the system 100 may continue to attempt todetect items 230A-N in the current shipment. Once the time limit elapsesthe system 100 may make the determination that all of the items 230A-Non the shipment passed the range of the antenna 110. The system 100 maydetermine the time limit based on the average size of the shipments, thelengths of the items 230A-N being transported, the velocity of the items230A-N or generally any other variables that may effect the detectiontime intervals.

If at block 670 the system 100 determines that the time limit haselapsed, the system 100 may move to block 680. At block 680 the reader140 may communicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or thecrane 160 that the entire shipment has passed the antenna 110.Alternatively or in addition the reader 140 may communicate that thereare no more items to be detected on the last platform.

If at block 670 the system 100 determines that the time limit has notelapsed, the system 100 may return to block 630 and continue to wait forthe antenna 110 to detect additional items. If at block 630 the antenna110 detects another item, the antenna 110 may communicate the detectiondata of the currently detected item to the reader 140 and the system 100may move to block 640. At block 640 the reader 140 may determine whetherthe antenna 110 still detects a previously detected item. If at block640 the antenna 110 still detects a previously detected item then thepreviously detected item and the current detected item may be located onthe same platform and the system may move to block 660. At block 660 thereader 140 may communicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N,and/or the crane 160 that the current item is located on the sameplatform as the previous item. The system 100 may then return to block630 and determine if the antenna 110 detects another item.

If at block 630 the antenna 110 no longer detects any other items thenthe current detected item may be located on the next platform and thesystem 100 may move to block 650. At block 650 the reader 140 maycommunicate to the main server 240, the users 120A-N, and/or the crane160 that the current item is located on the next platform. The system100 may then return to block 630 and determine if the antenna 110detects another item.

Alternatively or in addition the reader 140 may compare the detectiontime period of the current detected item and the time period of theprevious detected items on the current platform. The time period may bethe time the item first passed within range of the antenna 110 until thetime the item passed out of range of the antenna 110. If the detectiontime period of the current detected item overlaps the detection timeperiod of the previous items on the current platform the current itemmay also be located upon the platform.

FIG. 7 illustrates a time graph 700 depicting exemplary detection timeintervals of the items 230A-N passing by the antenna 110 in FIG. 2. Thetime graph 700 may include detection start times 710A-N, detection endtimes 720A-N, and platform center times 730A-N. The detection starttimes 710A-N may indicate the time the tags 210A-N of the items 230A-Nfirst passed within range of the antenna 110. The detection end times720A-N may represent the time the tags 210A-N of the items 230A-N passedout of range of the antenna 110. The detection time period of each ofthe items 230A-N may start at the detection start time 710A-N of theitems 230A-N and may end at the detection end times 720A-N of the items230A-N. The platform center times 730A-N may represent the time thecenter of the platforms 215A-N passed by the antenna 110. The time limitof the system 100, indicating that the shipment has passed, may be setat 15 seconds.

The detection start times 710A-N and the detection end times 720A-N maybe used to demonstrate how the reader 140 may implement the timeinterval algorithm of FIG. 4, the average time interval algorithm ofFIG. 5 and the overlapping time interval algorithm of FIG. 6 on aparticular data set.

In the case of the time interval algorithm illustrated in FIG. 4, thesystem 100 may identify a time interval threshold, such as 1.5 seconds.At time t=0 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of the item A 230Aat detection start time A 710A. The reader 140 may communicate that theitem A 230A is on the first platform, the wagon A 215A. Approximately0.4 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag B 210B of item B230B at detection start time B 710B. The reader 140 may calculate thetime interval between the detection start time A 710A of the item A 230Aand the detection start time B 710B of the item B 230B. In this instancethe time interval may be 0.4 seconds, which is less than the timeinterval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140 may communicatethat the item B 230B is located on the same platform as the item A 230A,the wagon A 215A.

Approximately 0.3 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag C210C of item C 230C at detection start time C 710C. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time B 710B ofthe item B 230B and the detection start time C 710C of the item C 230C.In this instance the time interval may be 0.3 seconds, which is lessthan the time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140may communicate that the item C 230C is located on the same platform asthe item B 230B, the wagon A 215A.

Approximately 6 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag D 210Dof item D 230D at detection start time D 710D. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time C 710C ofthe item C 230C and the detection start time D 710D of the item D 230D.In this instance the time interval may be 6 seconds, which is more thanthe time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140 maycommunicate that the item D 230D is located on the next platform, thewagon B 215B.

Approximately 7 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag E 210Eof item E 230E at detection start time E 710E. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time D 710D ofthe item D 230D and the detection start time E 710E of the item E 230E.In this instance the time interval may be 7 seconds, which is more thanthe time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140 maycommunicate that the item E 230E is located on the next platform, thewagon C 215C.

Approximately 0.5 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag F210F of item F 230F at detection start time F 710F. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time E 710E ofthe item E 230E and the detection start time F 710F of the item F 230F.In this instance the time interval may be 0.5 seconds, which is lessthan the time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140may communicate that the item F 230F is located on the same platform asthe item E 230E, the wagon C 215C.

Approximately 10 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag G 210Gof item G 230G at detection start time G 710G. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time F 710F ofthe item F 230F and the detection start time G 710G of the item G 230G.In this instance the time interval may be 10 seconds, which is more thanthe time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140 maycommunicate that the item G 230G is located on the next platform, thewagon D 215D.

Approximately 1.2 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag H210H of item H 230H at detection start time H 710H. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time G 710G ofthe item G 230G and the detection start time H 710H of the item H 230H.In this instance the time interval may be 1.2 seconds, which is lessthan the time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140may communicate that the item H 230H is located on the same platform asthe item G 230G, the wagon D 215D.

Approximately 0.9 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag I210I of item I 230I at detection start time I 710I. The reader 140 maycalculate the time interval between the detection start time H 710H ofthe item H 230H and the detection start time I 710I of the item I 230I.In this instance the time interval may be 0.9 seconds, which is lessthan the time interval threshold of 1.5 seconds. Thus, the reader 140may communicate that the item I 230I is located on the same platform asthe item H 230H, the wagon D 215D.

After detecting the detection end time G 710G of the item G 710G theantenna 110 may not detect any additional items. Once the time limit of15 seconds has elapsed the reader 140 may communicate that the entireshipment has passed the antenna 110 and that there are no more items onthe wagon D 215D.

In the case of the average time interval algorithm illustrated in FIG.5, the system 100 may identify an initial average time intervalthreshold for a wagon, such as 1.5 seconds and a constant, such as 5.The constant and the initial average time interval may be mathematicallyderived by creating a model that accurately maps historical detectiontimes of items with the actual platform they were transported on. Forexample the system 100 may determine a constant and an initial averagetime interval that best fit the relative location determined by thesystem 100 to the actual relative location of an item in a shipment.

At time t=0 the antenna 110 may detect the tag A 210A of the item A 230Aat detection start time A 710A. The reader 140 may communicate that theitem A 230A is on the first platform, the wagon A 215A. Approximately0.4 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag B 210B of item B230B at detection start time B 710B. The reader 140 may multiple theconstant of 5 by the average time interval of 1.5 for a result of 7.5.In this case the time interval 0.4 is less than the result, 7.5, so thereader 140 may communicate that the item B 230B is located on the sameplatform as the item A 230A, the wagon A 215A. The reader 140 may thenupdate the average time interval for the wagon A 215A. Since there isonly one time interval, 0.4 seconds, the average time interval may be0.4 seconds divided by 1, or 0.4 seconds.

Approximately 0.3 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag C210C of item C 230C at detection start time C 710C. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.4 for aresult of 2. In this case the time interval 0.3 is less than the result,2, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item C 230C is located onthe same platform as the item B 230B, the wagon A 215A. The reader 140may then update the average time interval for the wagon A 215A. Theaverage time interval may be the 0.4 second interval, plus the 0.3second interval, the sum divided by the total number of intervals, 2.The reader 140 may calculate the updated time interval as 0.35 seconds.

Approximately 6 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag D 210Dof item D 230D at detection start time D 710D. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.35 for aresult of 1.75. In this case the time interval 6 is greater than theresult, 1.75, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item D 230D islocated on the next platform, the wagon B 215B. The reader 140 may notupdate the average time interval because the item D 230D is not locatedon the wagon A 215A. The current average time interval of 0.35 secondsmay carry over to the calculations on items upon the wagon B 215B.

Approximately 7 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag E 210Eof item E 230E at detection start time E 710E. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.35 for aresult of 1.75. In this case the time interval 7 is greater than theresult, 1.75, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item E 230E islocated on the next platform, the wagon C 215C. The reader 140 may notupdate the average time interval because the item E 230E is not locatedon the wagon B 215B. The current average time interval of 0.35 secondsmay carry over to the calculations on items upon the wagon C 215C.

Approximately 0.5 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag F210F of item F 230F at detection start time F 710F. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.35 for aresult of 1.75. In this case the time interval 0.5 is less than theresult, 1.75, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item F 230F islocated on the same platform as the item E 230E, the wagon C 215C. Thereader 140 may then update the average time interval for the wagon C215C. Since there is only one time interval, 0.5 seconds, the averagetime interval may be 0.5 seconds divided by 1, or 0.5 seconds.

Approximately 10 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag G 210Gof item G 230G at detection start time G 710G. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.5 for aresult of 2.5. In this case the time interval 10 is greater than theresult, 2.5, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item G 230G islocated on the next platform, the wagon D 215D. The reader 140 may notupdate the average time interval because the item G 230G is not locatedon the wagon C 215C. The current average time interval of 0.5 secondsmay carry over to the calculations on items upon the wagon D 215D.

Approximately 1.2 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag H210H of item H 230H at detection start time H 710H. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 0.5 for aresult of 2. In this case the time interval 1.2 is less than the result,2, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item H 230H is located onthe same platform as the item G 230G, the wagon D 215D. The reader 140may then update the average time interval for the wagon D 215D. Sincethere is only one time interval, 1.2 seconds, the average time intervalmay be 1.2 seconds divided by 1, or 1.2 seconds.

Approximately 0.9 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag I210I of item I 230I at detection start time I 710I. The reader 140 maymultiple the constant of 5 by the average time interval of 1.2 for aresult of 6. In this case the time interval 0.9 is less than the result,6, so the reader 140 may communicate that the item I 230I is located onthe same platform as the item H 230H, the wagon D 215D. The reader 140may then update the average time interval for the wagon D 215D. Theaverage time interval may be the 1.2 second interval, plus the 0.9second interval, the sum divided by the total number of intervals, 2.The reader 140 may calculate the updated time interval as 1.05 seconds.

After detecting the detection end time G 710G of the item G 710G theantenna 110 may not detect any additional items. Once the time limit of15 seconds has elapsed the reader 140 may communicate that the entireshipment has passed the antenna 110 and that there are no more items onthe wagon D 215D.

In the case of the time overlap algorithm illustrated in FIG. 6, thesystem 100 may detect the relative location of the items 230A-N based onwhether their detection time periods overlap. At time t=0 the antenna110 may detect the tag A 210A of the item A 230A at detection start timeA 710A. The reader 140 may communicate that the item A 230A is on thefirst platform, the wagon A 215A. Approximately 0.4 seconds later theantenna 110 may detect the tag B 210B of item B 230B at detection starttime B 710B. The reader 140 may determine if the antenna 110 stilldetects the tags of the items on the current platform, the wagon A 215A.In this case the only item currently known to be on the wagon A 215A isthe item A 230A. Since the detection stop time A 720A of the item A 230Ahas not yet passed, the antenna 110 may detect both the item A 230A andthe item B 230B at the same time. Thus, the reader 140 may communicatethat the item B 230B is located on the same platform as the item A 230A,the wagon A 215A.

Approximately 0.3 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag C210C of item C 230C at detection start time C 710C. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon A 215A. In this case the items currentlyknown to be on the wagon A 215A are the items 230 A-B. Since thedetection stop times 720A-B of the items 230A-B have not yet passed, theantenna 110 may detect the items 230A-C at the same time. Thus, thereader 140 may communicate that the item C 230C is located on the sameplatform as the items 230A-B, the wagon A 215A.

Approximately 6 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag D 210Dof item D 230D at detection start time D 710D. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon A 215A. In this case the items currentlyknown to be on the wagon A 215A are the items 230 A-C. Since thedetection stop times 720A-C of the items 230A-C have already passed, theantenna 110 may not detect the item D 230D at the same time as the items230A-C. Thus, the reader 140 may communicate that the item D 230D islocated upon the next platform, the wagon B 215B.

Approximately 7 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag E 210Eof item E 230E at detection start time E 710E. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon B 215B. In this case the only item known tobe on the wagon B 215B is the item D 230D. Since the detection stop timeD 720D of the item D 230D has already passed, the antenna 110 may notdetect the item E 230E at the same time as the item D 230D. Thus, thereader 140 may communicate that the item E 230E is located upon the nextplatform, the wagon C 215C.

Approximately 0.5 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag F210F of item F 230F at detection start time F 710F. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon C 215C. In this case the only item currentlyknown to be on the wagon C 215C is the item E 230E. Since the detectionstop time E 720E of the item E 230E has not yet passed, the antenna 110may detect both the item E 230E and the item F 230F at the same time.Thus, the reader 140 may communicate that the item F 230F is located onthe same platform as the item E 230E, the wagon C 215C.

Approximately 10 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag G 210Gof item G 230G at detection start time G 710G. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon C 215C. In this case the items currentlyknown to be on the wagon C 215C are the items 230E-F. Since thedetection stop times 720E-F of the items 230E-F have already passed, theantenna 110 may not detect the item G 230G at the same time as the items230E-F. Thus, the reader 140 may communicate that the item G 230G islocated upon the next platform, the wagon D 215D.

Approximately 1.2 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag H210H of item H 230H at detection start time H 710H. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon D 215D. In this case the only item currentlyknown to be on the wagon D 215CD is the item G 230G. Since the detectionstop time G 720G of the item G 230G has not yet passed, the antenna 110may detect both the item G 230G and the item H 230H at the same time.Thus, the reader 140 may communicate that the item H 230H is located onthe same platform as the item G 230G, the wagon D 215D.

Approximately 0.9 seconds later the antenna 110 may detect the tag I210I of item I 230I at detection start time I 710I. The reader 140 maydetermine if the antenna 110 still detects the tags of the items on thecurrent platform, the wagon D 215D. In this case the items currentlyknown to be on the wagon D 215D are the items 230 G-H. Since thedetection stop times 720G-H of the items 230G-H have not yet passed, theantenna 110 may detect the items 230G-I at the same time. Thus, thereader 140 may communicate that the item I 230I is located on the sameplatform as the items 230G-H, the wagon D 215D.

After detecting the detection end time G 710G of the item G 710G theantenna 110 may not detect any additional items. Once the time limit of15 seconds has elapsed the reader 140 may communicate that the entireshipment has passed the antenna 110 and that there are no more items onthe wagon D 215D.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary tag for detecting an item in the systemof FIG. 1, or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. The tag A 210A may bean RFID tag and may include a body 810 and a flap or flag portion 820.The flag 820 may stick out from the body 810 at about a 90 degree angle.In other implementations, other identification technology may be used,such as optical systems including barcodes. Due to variousuncontrollable environmental factors and the need to identify the items230A-N from a distance at various read points, barcodes may not be aviable option given current technology. By using the identificationsystem, such as RFID tags, a company can achieve tight time requirementswhen unloading items 230A-N from sea vessels and river barges, as wellas significant cost savings on new processes that else would haverequired additional manual labor. The RFID tags may be manufactured toendure harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stress, and mayallow items 230A-N, such as steel slabs to be identified by RFIDantennas 110 on loading cranes.

FIG. 9 illustrates how tags may be positioned on items in the system ofFIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. In FIG. 9 the items230A-N may be various forms of steel slabs. For a full slab 910, onlyone tag A 210A may be needed. The tag A 210A may be positioned in themiddle of a long side of the slab 200. Position of the tag 200 may beimplementation dependent and may vary depending on the implementation.For a slab 920 cut in length, two tags A 210A may be used on each sideof the slabs, to help ensure that a tag in always oriented to an outsideof the slab 920. The slabs cut in length 920 may represent one slab, sothe tags A 210A on each slab 920 may convey the same data to the antenna110. Alternatively or in addition each slab cut in length 920, or eachside of each slab cut in length 920 may have its own distinct tag A210A. In this case, there may be a tag A 210A for one half of the slaband a tag B 210B for the other half of the slab. The tags 210A-B mayidentify the half slabs 920 individually.

For a slab 930 cut in width, one tag A 210A may be used for each sectionof the cut slab 930. The tags A 210A may include specific information toindicate that the cut slab is only half as long as a regular slab. Thismay help determine the relative location of the slabs 930 on the wagons215A-N. The slabs cut in width 930 may represent one slab, so the tags A210A on each slab 930 may convey the same data to the antenna 110.Alternatively or in addition each slab cut in width 930, or each side ofeach slab cut in width 930 may have its own distinct tag A 210A. In thiscase, there may be a tag A 210A for one half of the slab and a tag B210B for the other half of the slab. The tags 210A-B may identify thehalf slabs 920 individually and may provide more precise information onthe relative location of the slabs 930. The tags 210A-N may be read whenthe items 230A-N arrive at a port or destination.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary reader and antenna constructiondimensions for use in the system of FIG. 1 or other systems fordetermining a relative location of a plurality of items upon a pluralityof platforms. Not all of the depicted components may be required,however, and some implementations may include additional components.Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forthherein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided.

FIG. 11 provides a view of a remote entry system for use with the systemof FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location of aplurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. Not all of thedepicted components may be required, however, and some implementationsmay include additional components. Variations in the arrangement andtype of the components may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewercomponents may be provided.

The automatic or manual process may occur remotely, such as using apower generator 1110 with a power outlet 1120 to power a processor suchas a laptop computer 1140, which connect to a network 130, such as via anetwork access point 1130, which may include a router. The laptopcomputer 1140 may be used by one of the users 120A-N to receiveinformation from the reader 140, the antenna 110, or the main server240. Alternatively or in addition one of the users 120A-N may use thelaptop computer 1140 to control the crane 160 based on informationreceived from the reader 140 or the antenna 110.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary handheld reader in the system of FIG. 1or other systems for determining a relative location of a plurality ofitems upon a plurality of platforms. The reader 1200 may be a handheldor stationary mounted device. In the case of RFID tags the reader 1200may be an RFID reader. The reader 1200 may include a display screen 1210and inputs 1220. The reader 1200 may be capable of reading data overlong distances without the need for visual or physical contact. Thereader 1200 may transfer received information to main server 240 forprocessing.

FIG. 13 provides a view of an exemplary computer environment forhandling data related to the relative location of a plurality of itemsin the system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. Not allof the depicted components may be required, however, and someimplementations may include additional components. Variations in thearrangement and type of the components may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional,different or fewer components may be provided.

Information may be stored at a first location 1302 and a second location1304, such as source location and a destination location in a supplychain. The first location 1302 may include devices such as a taggingapplication 220C, a tag printer 1308, and RFID antennas 110A, such aslocated at a departure point of the items 230A-N, which may include atrain departure track 250. The first location 1302 may include a stockmanagement system 1310, a yard management system 1312, a first locationsite enterprise server 1314, and a second location site server 1316. Thedevices may be connected via a network 130A, such as a local areanetwork (LAN). The antennas 110A may connect to the network 130A via areader 140A.

The second location 1304 may include devices such as antennas 1108 at atrain track entry point, antennas 110C at an oven conveyer point, ahandheld reader 1200, a side track antenna 110D, a stock managementsystem 1328 and a yard management system 1330, including databases 245,and a slab yard graphical user interface (GUI) application 220D, whichmay include a graphic user interface (GUI). The devices may connect viaa network 130C. The antennas 110B-D may connect to the network 130C viareaders 140B-D. Alternatively or in addition the antennas 110B-D mayconnect directly to the network 130C. An administration processor 220Emay access information from the locations 1302, 1304 via a network 130B,such as the Internet or intranet.

An RFID system may include a radio tag known as a transponder, a readerwith antennae, and interfaces to IT systems, such as a main server 240.A microchip may be used to store an identifier, such as a ten-digitnumber code, which can be used to unambiguously identify every item230A-N produced by a given company. The microchip and an antenna unitmay be integrated in a plastic label known as the RFID tag. These tags210A-N may be encoded and attached to the center of the items 230A-Nsides. In other implementations, the tags 210A-N are placed elsewhere,such as on the end of the items 230A-N. The items 230A-N maysubsequently be identified by an RFID antenna 110, which emits ahigh-frequency electromagnetic wave. The frequency may be set to meetlocal regulation all around the world. The energy from the radio waveexcites the antenna coil in the tags 210A-N and generates an inducedcurrent. The current activates the microchip which then sends itsinformation back to the antenna 110. The data are transferred from theantenna 110 to the central IT systems, such as the main server 240,where information is stored on the steel grade, dimensions, customer anddestination of each of the items 230A-N, such as steel slabs. The items230A-N may be identified several times en route to its destination, suchas the rolling mills.

FIG. 14 illustrates antennas located by in-bound and outbound tracks inthe system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. Theantennas 110 may be RFID devices used to allow identification of theitems 230A-N, such as steel slabs. An automatic arrival notice andvalidation that all of the items 230A-N arrived may be provided uponreading in all the items 230A-N. Automatic deduction of the wagonsequence from the sequence of the items 230A-N may allow human labor anderrors to be reduced. The wagons 215A-N may travel on the tracks 250,such as railroad tracks.

FIG. 15 illustrates antennas located by rollers that transport items inthe system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. FIG. 15illustrates antennas 110 located by rollers 250 that transport the items230A-N, such as steel slabs, to the ovens for a re-heating process ofthe slabs. The data from the read tagged items 230A-N may be saved forfuture use and reporting purposes. As in any of the above steps, theitems 230A-N may also be visually verified. An automatic plausibilitycheck may be performed on the end-to-end RFID-process, such as bycomparing the dimensions of the items 230A-N as reported by laser-basedmeasuring systems with the item 230A-N dimensions obtained from the RFIDidentification system. Periodic plausibility checks may be performed bycounting the number of items 230A-N between two RFID-equipped items230A-N against the number of items 230A-N as written in the plans.

FIG. 16 illustrates stacked exemplary items 230A-N, such as slabs. Theitems 230A-N may vary in sizes, such as 12 meters by 3 meters by 25centimeters, and weigh about 30 tons. The identification system may beused in other implementations, however, such as for tracking othermaterials, or in other contexts, such as tracking files in a business.Some steel companies may deliver upwards of hundreds of thousands ofsteel slabs a year to be processed at plants from North America toEurope to Asia. The company may require secure, automated identificationat key points along the route to expedite unloading times and preventproduct mix-ups. The identification system may use radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technology in production to identify slabs ofsteel according to grade, dimensions, customer and destination.

FIG. 17 illustrates a tag after being exposed to environmentalconditions. The system 100 can track every single slab of steel producedin a steel mill, thus significantly improving shipment operations.Relying on manual verification of every single steel slab may beconsidered too time intensive, costly and prone to error. Anything but asecure automatic identification may leave crane capacities unused andendanger the company's ability to ship the produced volumes to theirdestination sites.

The RFID technology may be implemented to work effectively with metallicobjects, since electromagnetic waves may be reflected from the metallicsurfaces. The tags 210A-N or a folded paper label may be used thatstands off from the surface like a small flag. A tag A 210A may includea crease so that the embedded RFID transponder does not lay flat againstthe object to which the paper label is attached. The RFID transpondermay be located in a flap at a 90-degree angle to the object, extendinglike a flag perpendicular to the object. With the tag A 210A nottouching the object, such as a metallic object, its readability may beimproved. The RFID tag label's flag size, paper, glue, and the printer'sfolding mechanism may be used such that the labels could be foldedwithout the need to perforate them. The lack of perforations mayincreases the flag's flexibility so that it bounces back to a 90-degreeangle even if it has been laid flat for a considerable time duringtransport. A length of the flap part of the flag that protrudes from theitems 230A-N may be between about 2 cm to 6 cm, and more preferably 4cm.

An RFID-printer/encoder can automatically fold the tag labels. Anexemplary label application device is manufactured by SATO Corporationlocated in Tokyo, Japan, and is described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPub. No. 2006/0226214, which is incorporated by reference herein. Thetag A 210A may be manufactured of materials that withstand the harshconditions encountered. The tags 210A=N may be made of materials thatare harmless to the environment, such as when incinerated. A glue may beused that adheres the flag to a metal surface of the slab. Other tagsmay be used, such as on-metal tags that are applied directly to theslab.

FIG. 18 illustrates slabs loaded onto train wagons in the system of FIG.1 or other systems for determining a relative location of a plurality ofitems upon a plurality of platforms. The RFID tagged slabs may be readon the way out of the slab manufacturing plant, such as by being read onthe cargo-train as the train departs past a scanner. The train may runon tracks 250, such as railroad tracks. The slabs may be transported totheir destination over land, or loaded on to vessels if part of theshipment occurs over water.

FIG. 19 illustrates slabs being loaded on to a water shipping vessel inthe system of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relativelocation of a plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. In otherimplementations, the slabs or other items 230A-N being tracked may beloaded on to air vessels. The crane 260 may be used to load and unloadthe slabs. The crane 260 may receive information from the antenna 110indicating which items 230A-N may be upon which wagons 215A-N.

FIG. 20 provides a view of a way to read tags while items are beingsuspended by chains attached to cranes in the system of FIG. 1 or othersystems for determining a relative location of a plurality of items upona plurality of platforms. Not all of the depicted components may berequired, however, and some implementations may include additionalcomponents. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as setforth herein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided.

The tags 210A-N may be read by a RFID reader trailer 2010. Steps 1through 4 shows how the tags 210A-N of the items 230A-N, such as slabs,may be positioned with the cranes 160 in front of an antenna of thereader trailer 2010. The reader trailer 2010 may include two antennas,such as on separate sides of the reader trailer 2010, to allow readingof the tags A 210A on either side of the item A 230A.

FIG. 21 illustrates slabs being shipped to different locations in thesystem of FIG. 1 or other systems for determining a relative location ofa plurality of items upon a plurality of platforms. For example,4,500,000 slabs may be shipped from Shipper A. 2,500,000 may be sent toReceiver A and the rest may be sent to Port A. Out of the 2,000,000slabs sent to Port A, 1,640,000 may be sent to a processing point, suchas Processing Point A, and the rest may be sent directly to Receiver D.From Processing Point A, 180,000 may be sent to Receiver B, 1,060,000may be sent to Receiver C and 400,000 may be sent to Receiver D.

RFID may be used to help handle the tracking processes automatically,reliably and above all quickly between all of the sources anddestinations. For example, at Port A, such as a European sea port wherethe freighters arrive with the steel intended for Germany, less thanthree minutes per slab may be available for unloading, allocation andreloading on barges or railcars. Part of the steel may be transported byrail directly to the company's hot rolling mill, while the other slabsmay make their way up the Rhine by barge to a plant harbor. Again, theamount of time available for each loading operation may be very short,only two or three minutes.

In one example, a company set out to use RFID technology to automate theslab identification process. The company embarked on a six-month pilotproject aimed at determining if RFID technology could work. The companyequipped more than 1000 steel slabs with two tags A 210A each, andshipped the slabs from Brazil via Antwerp to Duisburg, Germany. At everylocation, the slabs were tested for correct functioning and the companygathered insights on the types of damages and malfunctions that mightoccur in transport. As part of the process, the solution enduredperformance tests aimed at determining the impact of strong magnets(such as in cranes and forklifts), resistance to such harshenvironmental conditions as seawater, shock, temperature extremes, seawater, ice and dust, as well as bumps and knocks during transit. Inevery instance, RFID technology proved to be the first choice for slablogistics. The RFID system may have a range, such as up to ten meters.Optical image recognition systems, on the other hand, may havedrawbacks, for example, among other things, their efficiency may beimpaired by dirt, scale or ice on the slabs.

The tagging of slabs in Brazil were conducted using mobile RFIDterminals by Psion Teklogix running a custom application based onSybase′ RFIDAnywhere middleware. As a way of comparing technologies,barcodes were also tested. When the slabs arrived in Antwerp, they werechecked to determine if the barcode and RFID tags 210A-N were stillreadable. If they weren't, a reason was recorded for later analysis.When the slabs arrived at their ultimate destination in Duisburg, theywere tested to see if the RFID-tags 210A-N would be readable from therotating crane unloading them. In Duisburg, a custom movable RFIDtrailer 2010 was constructed, which was equipped with Alien Technologyfixed RFID antennas 110. The slabs were lifted from the vessels withchains and moved over the RFID trailer 2010, which had two antenna baysthat allowed it to read the RFID tags 210A-N from either side of theslab. These conditions were significantly more difficult than inordinary deployment, yet the system was able to identify the majority ofthe slabs. With a range of up to ten meters, RFID technology provedbetter than barcodes. Barcodes required scanners to be positionedmanually and much closer to the labels to function reliably, and only ifthe optical data carrier was in good shape.

The slabs were identified several times during the route to the Germanproduction mills. RFID read points along the entire supply chain wereintegrated with multiple production and inventory keeping applications.In the pilot, RFID handled the identification processes reliably andquickly. When the steel arrives on freighters, less than three minutesper slab may be available for unloading, allocation and reloading onbarges or railcars. Taking advantage of RFID's range the system canidentify the slabs while they were still suspended from the cranes 160at a height of around three meters. In just a few milliseconds, a craneoperator receives information regarding where to unload the slab. At itsfinal destination, when the slab is about to enter the hot strip millfurnaces, RFID antennas 110 may ensure the right slabs are beingprocessed. The company can also integrate the internal supply chainprocesses between two of its facilities. Multiple applications may beintegrated to automate departure control, receiving of shipments, andcontrol at the oven conveyor. It may include daily RFID tagging of allnew stock produced for the company's production facility.

The following process may be used with the identification system.Tagging may be accomplished manually and/or automatically in one or moresteps, such as at the slab production/manufacturing plant. All slabs inthe yard may be initially tagged in a one-off effort. Thereafter, allnew slabs may be tagged on a periodic basis, such as a daily basis afterthey arrive in the storage area, and are sufficiently cooled. Thisprocess may ensure that all slabs being shipped are equipped withfunctioning RFID tags carrying the slab ID. The loading and shippingprocess may be fully automated, such as if forklifts were RFID antenna110 equipped. The aforementioned example referenced slabs, however, theexample may apply to any items 230A-N.

FIG. 22 illustrates a general computer system 2200, which may representa main server 240, a reader 140, or any of the other computing devicesreferenced herein. Not all of the depicted components may be required,however, and some implementations may include additional components notshown in the figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of thecomponents may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer componentsmay be provided.

The computer system 2200 may include a set of instructions 2224 that maybe executed to cause the computer system 2200 to perform any one or moreof the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. Thecomputer system 2200 may operate as a standalone device or may beconnected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems orperipheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 2200 may alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner,a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, aweb appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machinecapable of executing a set of instructions 2224 (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In aparticular embodiment, the computer system 2200 may be implemented usingelectronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single computer system 2200 may be illustrated, theterm “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systemsor sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiplesets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, the computer system 2200 may include aprocessor 2202, such as, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 2202 may be a component ina variety of systems. For example, the processor 2202 may be part of astandard personal computer or a workstation. The processor 2202 may beone or more general processors, digital signal processors, applicationspecific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers,networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, orother now known or later developed devices for analyzing and processingdata. The processor 2202 may implement a software program, such as codegenerated manually (i.e., programmed).

The computer system 2200 may include a memory 2204 that can communicatevia a bus 2208. The memory 2204 may be a main memory, a static memory,or a dynamic memory. The memory 2204 may include, but may not be limitedto computer readable storage media such as various types of volatile andnon-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random accessmemory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electricallyprogrammable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory,flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In onecase, the memory 2204 may include a cache or random access memory forthe processor 2202. Alternatively or in addition, the memory 2204 may beseparate from the processor 2202, such as a cache memory of a processor,the system memory, or other memory. The memory 2204 may be an externalstorage device or database for storing data. Examples may include a harddrive, compact disc (“CD”), digital video disc (“DVD”), memory card,memory stick, floppy disc, universal serial bus (“USB”) memory device,or any other device operative to store data. The memory 2204 may beoperable to store instructions 2224 executable by the processor 2202.The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or describedherein may be performed by the programmed processor 2202 executing theinstructions 2224 stored in the memory 2204. The functions, acts ortasks may be independent of the particular type of instructions set,storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed bysoftware, hardware, integrated circuits, firm-ware, micro-code and thelike, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategiesmay include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and thelike.

The computer system 2200 may further include a display 2214, such as aliquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), aflat panel display, a solid state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), aprojector, a printer or other now known or later developed displaydevice for outputting determined information. The display 2214 may actas an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor2202, or specifically as an interface with the software stored in thememory 2204 or in the drive unit 2206.

Additionally, the computer system 2200 may include an input device 2212configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components ofsystem 2200. The input device 2212 may be a number pad, a keyboard, or acursor control device, such as a mouse, or a joystick, touch screendisplay, remote control or any other device operative to interact withthe system 2200.

The computer system 2200 may also include a disk or optical drive unit2206. The disk drive unit 2206 may include a computer-readable medium2222 in which one or more sets of instructions 2224, e.g. software, canbe embedded. Further, the instructions 2224 may perform one or more ofthe methods or logic as described herein. The instructions 2224 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the memory 2204 and/orwithin the processor 2202 during execution by the computer system 2200.The memory 2204 and the processor 2202 also may includecomputer-readable media as discussed above.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 2222 thatincludes instructions 2224 or receives and executes instructions 2224responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to anetwork 235 may communicate voice, video, audio, images or any otherdata over the network 235. Further, the instructions 2224 may betransmitted or received over the network 235 via a communicationinterface 2218. The communication interface 2218 may be a part of theprocessor 2202 or may be a separate component. The communicationinterface 2218 may be created in software or may be a physicalconnection in hardware. The communication interface 2218 may beconfigured to connect with a network 235, external media, the display2214, or any other components in system 2200, or combinations thereof.The connection with the network 235 may be a physical connection, suchas a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly asdiscussed below. Likewise, the additional connections with othercomponents of the system 2200 may be physical connections or may beestablished wirelessly.

The network 235 may include wired networks, wireless networks, orcombinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephonenetwork, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network. Further, thenetwork 235 may be a public network, such as the Internet, a privatenetwork, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize avariety of networking protocols now available or later developedincluding, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

The computer-readable medium 2222 may be a single medium, or thecomputer-readable medium 2222 may be a single medium or multiple media,such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated cachesand servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” may also include any medium that may becapable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by a processor or that may cause a computer system to performany one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

The computer-readable medium 2222 may include a solid-state memory suchas a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. The computer-readable medium 2222 also may be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium 2222 may include a magneto-optical oroptical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device tocapture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over atransmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or otherself-contained information archive or set of archives may be considereda distribution medium that may be a tangible storage medium.Accordingly, the disclosure may be considered to include any one or moreof a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and otherequivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may bestored.

Alternatively or in addition, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments may broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that may be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system may encompass software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

The methods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, implementations may includedistributed processing, component/object distributed processing, andparallel processing. Alternatively or in addition, virtual computersystem processing maybe constructed to implement one or more of themethods or functionality as described herein.

Although components and functions are described that may be implementedin particular embodiments with reference to particular standards andprotocols, the components and functions are not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed hereinare considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations described herein are intended to provide a generalunderstanding of the structure of various embodiments. The illustrationsare not intended to serve as a complete description of all of theelements and features of apparatus, processors, and systems that utilizethe structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments maybe apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, theillustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, whileother proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and thefigures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, may be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract is provided with the understanding that it will not be usedto interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the description. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope is to be determined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A method, comprising: scanning, at reader circuitry,a first identification indicium on a first item of a shipment; scanninga second identification indicium on a second item of the shipment;creating a reference to the first item in a memory in a shipmentprocessing system; responsive to the scanning of the first and secondidentification indicia, determining a relative position of the seconditem with respect to the first item; and sending, to a trackingdatabase, a location description for the second item, the locationdescription comprising the relative position and the reference to thefirst item.
 9. The method of claim 8, where determining the relativeposition comprises determining a time duration between scanning thefirst identification indicium and scanning the second identificationindicium.
 10. The method of claim 9, where determining the relativeposition comprises comparing the time duration to a threshold value. 11.The method of claim 8, where determining the relative position comprisesdetermining a velocity of the first and second items with respect to thereader circuitry.
 12. The method of claim 8, where determining therelative position comprises determining whether the first item andsecond item are within a single compartment.
 13. The method of claim 8,where determining the relative position comprises determining whetherthe first item and second item are within adjacent compartments.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising determining whether all items inthe shipment have been scanned.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein:scanning the first identification indicium and scanning the secondidentification indicium comprises scanning first and second wirelessidentification tags; and the method further comprises scanning the firstand second wireless identification tags when the first and secondwireless identification tags are concurrently located within a signalreception range of the reader circuitry.
 16. The method of claim 8,further comprising sending a command to an automated unloading device,the command based on the location description and comprising aninstruction to the automated unloading device to unload the second item.17. A system, comprising: reader circuitry configured to: scan a firstidentification indicium affixed to a first item of a shipment; andresponsive to the scan, create a reference to the first item in a memoryin a shipment processing system; scan a second identification indiciumaffixed to a second item of the same shipment; positioning circuitryconfigured to: determine a relative position of the second item withrespect to the first item; and generate a location description for thesecond item, the location description comprising the relative positionand the reference to the first item; and communication interfacecircuitry configured to send the location description to a trackingdatabase.
 18. The system of claim 17, where the positioning circuitry isconfigured to determine a time duration between scanning the firstidentification indicium and scanning the second identification indiciumto determine the relative position.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherethe positioning circuitry is configured to compare the time duration toa threshold value to determine the relative position.
 20. The system ofclaim 17, where the positioning circuitry is configured to determine avelocity of the first and second items with respect to the readercircuitry to determine the relative position.
 21. The system of claim17, where the positioning circuitry is configured to determine whetherthe first item and second item are within a single compartment.
 22. Thesystem of claim 17, where the positioning circuitry is configured todetermine whether the first item and second item are within adjacentcompartments.
 23. The system of claim 17, wherein: the first and secondidentification indicia comprise first and second wireless identificationtags; and the reader circuitry is configured to scan the first andsecond wireless identification tags when the first and second wirelessidentification indicia are concurrently located within a signalreception range of the reader circuitry.
 24. A product, comprising: acomputer-readable medium other than a transitory signal; andinstructions stored on the computer-readable medium, the instructionsconfigured to, when executed: cause reader circuitry to scan a firstidentification indicium attached to a first item; generate a referenceto the first item in a memory of a tracking system; cause the readercircuitry to scan a second identification indicium attached to a seconditem; determine a relative position of the second item with respect tothe first item; generate a location description for the second item, thelocation description comprising the relative position and the referenceto the first item; and cause the location description to be stored in atracking database.
 25. The product of claim 24, where the instructionsare further configured to determine a time duration between scanning thefirst identification indicium and scanning the second identificationindicium to determine the relative position.
 26. The product of claim24, where the instructions are further configured to send a command toan automated unloading device, the command being based on the locationdescription, the command instructing the automated unloading device tounload the second item.
 27. The product of claim 24, where: the firstand second items are included within a shipment; and the instructionsare further configured to determine whether all items in the shipmenthave been scanned.